The Leh Palace

During the initial part of the 15th century, Dragpa Bumdey, the then Maharaja of Ladakh, constructed the first fort in Leh and regal residence on some elevation from the city.The name of Leh Palace is Lachen Palkar Palace .Additionally, he also constructed 3 temples associated with Buddhism, 2 of them are in the city-walls and 1 is near the Tsemo’s top. 

During the start of the 17th century, the city became the capital of Ladakh, which then included the west parts of Tibet as well. The Lachen Palkar Palace was then built by Maharaja Senge Namgyal.

Architecture

• The Mahal has a 9 storied edifice, which is located near the bottom of Tsemo ridge
• It looms over the Old district
• It has architectural similarity with the popular Potala Palace in Tibet
• Around the populated building of the old town, King Senge Namgyal built enormous earthen walls 
• After the Dogra invasion in the middle phase of the 19th century, the imperial family abandoned Lachen Palkar Palace
• With the closing of the traditional trading passages inside Asia and the building of routes in Leh in the 1960s, many of the outer structures of the older city were demolished
• The city outgrew its old boundaries from the 17th century, and the neighbouring territories developed
• Due to infrastructure shortcomings such as suboptimal drainage systems and an improper supply of water, many of the rich families have left Leh
• Cyclical migratory labourers who now live in the old town are not capable of maintaining the heritage sites
• The old town’s stability is further threatened by low-scale contemporary structures, seismic activity, heavy rains, and tourism

World Monument Fund and Leh Palace

• In 1984, the Fund undertook enormous 1-year research on the Leh Palace
• According to a 2004 assessment conducted by a Tibet-based fund, fifty-five percent of the historical sites were in bad shape, and they needed a sense of urgency in repairing and maintaining them over the following few years 
• Leh historic city was included in the category of watch list in 2008 by the fund
• The Fund worked on rehabilitation efforts in the larger Leh area, including Sumda Chun Monastery, Basgo Gompa (Matieya Temples), and Guru Lhakhang

City of Leh in Ladakh

• Leh Older city is an outstanding example of a well-preserved ancient Tibetan culture
•  Because of the harsh environment and vast nomadic lifestyle, only a few urban cities flourished on the Himalayas higher side, and only a few remain today
• The higher peak tribes that have been able to adapt themselves with the hard environment are featured in Led Old Town 
• Within the preserved seventeenth-century fortifications, the ancient town is a maze of tunnels with around two hundred brick, clay, and wooden homes, 8 Buddhism sites, and 3 mosques 
• The Leh Palace is an excellent example of Ladakh’s best architectural skill and craftsmanship

• Since 2003, Tibet Heritage Fund has conducted experimental projects in collaboration with the local administration as part of a larger restoration strategy
• Despite these significant achievements, flash floods struck the area in 2010, and lower Leh was seriously destroyed
• Many people gathered in the region’s villages to help with recovery work following the storm
• The Leh Palace was built in the 17th century by King Senge Namgyal, the king of Ladakh. It’s modelled after Tibet’s Potala Palace

• The royal family was compelled to evacuate this palace due to the Dogra invasion of Ladakh in the mid-nineteenth century
• Following this, the royal family lived in exile in the Stok Palace
• The royals lived on the upper floors, while the storage rooms were on the lower floors
• This palace’s roof provides a magnificent view of the valley
• It was the regal palace of the Namgyal dynasty until the mid-nineteenth century, when the royal family relocated permanently to Stok
• The palace now serves as the administrative headquarters of the Archaeological Conservation Organisation, which the Indian government owns
• This 9-story royal building is now nearly in ruins, yet it is maintained as part of Ladakh’s legacy 
• It boasts enormous walls and wooden balconies and is an example of mediaeval Tibetan architecture 
• A triumph tower, constructed in remembrance of Ladakh troops, stands at the palace’s apex
• The inside of this castle is adorned with ancient murals that hint at its golden glory

Attractions

• The small compartments, carved entrances, large chambers, and broad hallways retain their attractiveness despite their state of ruin 
• The larger corridors and chambers have since been converted into fallout shelters for public display
• There are exquisite murals on the palace’s walls, which depict the splendour of the palace’s bygone era
• The Victory Tower, which is located near to the Leh Palace, is another prominent site in Ladakh
• This tower was built in the 16th century to commemorate Ladakhi troops who died battling against the invading Balti Kashmiri

Conclusion

The majestic Leh Palace, which overlooks Namgyal hill and Leh town, is a hub of Buddhist religion and culture. The palace also has a monastery with a statue of Lord Buddha. There are historical paintings and pictures and some amazing artwork along Tibetan thangka at the palace’s display galleries. Some of the paintings here are almost 450 years old and were done with colours derived from powdered jewels and stones. To the untrained eye, they appear brand new. A remarkable collection of royal jewels, ceremonial gowns, and crowns can also be seen at the Leh Palace.